El Paso ISD tackles perceived inequity on Jefferson-Silva campus

The El Paso Independent School District is considering creating a second medical magnet program on the west side of El Paso. This would be in addition to Silva Health Magnet in South Central, along with Ysleta ISD’s magnet at Bel Air High, and Socorro ISD’s at Socorro High. But there may be more to creating a medical program on the west side.

EPISD’s Silva Health Magnet only has seats for 800 students, most of which come from areas other than South El Paso and the Segundo Barrio. The concern is that within the same campus, are two groups of students with vastly different backgrounds.

“The majority of the kids, I’m talking 90-plus percent, don’t even live in the Jefferson-Bowie area that attend that school, and that’s something that deeply concerns me,” said EPISD Superintendent Juan Cabrera.

Cabrera is not only promoting the idea of creating a medical magnet program at Franklin High for students on the west side, but hoping that will open seats at Silva for students from South El Paso. The concern is students in South El Paso aren’t able to attend a medical magnet in their own backyard.

“Our student council I’d say is about 90 percent Silva, about 10 percent Jeff,” said Jefferson High student Juan Hernandez. “I feel there is a difference. But it shouldn’t be there but its there.”

Cabrera has said campus equity is one of his most important goals, which is why he and the managers are brain-storming ways to balance out the student populations. EPISD is considering starting a 6th grade medical program at Henderson Middle school, which would act as a feeder to Silva.

“If we can get that middle school magnet started early, then I think we’ll be able to grow our own kids,” Cabrera said.

“I’ve has classes at both schools and students have treated the same at both schools, and at the end we’re all just one,” said student Gilberto De La Rosa. “Without Jeff there wouldn’t be sports, without Silva there wouldn’t be a good reputation.”

They’re also considering holding a certain number of seats meant solely for students from the Segundo Barrio and South Central.

“In my mind, it’s nice that we have it there on the Jefferson campus,” Cabrera said, “but if none of the children live in that area, I’d rather help the kids that might not have had a chance to attend the medical magnet.”

These are all ideas the district is considering as it moves forward with its modernization plan, a plan that is expected to be approved by the board of managers later this month.